Anyone have a simple method for installing the distributor in an EA82, setting the timing, and getting all the wires lined up correctly?

 

I just installed my rebuilt engine and followed the Chilton's instructions. I went to fire it up, and it just turned over and over. My assumption is that the timing is not right (or the spark plug wires are out of sequence). I checked the way the wires are laid out on my other loyale, and it's different from what the chilton's says.

 

This was my approach. Remove #1 spark plug, and turn the crank until feeling air escape. Then proceed to "0" as marked on the flywheel (TDC). Next, I lined up the marks on the shaft of the disty and installed it. Finally, I wired the spark plugs from the disty as the book said. This seems correct... please let me know if I've missed anything. Basically, what was different on my other loyale is that the spark plug wires were all one off... in other words where the book says #1 should go is actually one ahead (assuming clockwise rotation looking down) from the way it's wired on the other soob... So is there any way to know for sure where the #1 wire goes, and how to proceed after that?

 

Thanks all,

belizeanbus

So far what you've done sounds good. The #1 cylinder (front on passenger side) should be on the compression stroke, which you determined by making sure you had compression on the way to TDC. Now you want to go somewhere near where your timing should be, probably around 8 degrees BTDC. Note where the #1 wire is on the distributor. Make a small mark on the base of the distributor below the #1 wire so you'll be able to see it when you're installing it- a pencil mark works fine. Now remove the cap and slide the distributor into position so that the rotor is pointing straight at the mark you made. You should be very close to your initial timing. Also make sure you have the firing order correct. Hope this makes it easier for you.

How do you know where the #1 wire goes on the distributor cap? I realize that it's best to not remove everything all at once, but when I was pulling the engine, the wires got hung up and I had to repidly remove them. That leaves me with no wires attached, and so no reference for where to attach the wires now.

 

 

belizeanbus

It dosen't matter where the wires are inserted into the cap. What does matter is that the rotor is pointed at #1 when the engine is at 8 degrees BTDC AND the rest of the wires are in the correct firing order.

I'd have to look at mine to be sure, but I think the #1 is closest to the front of the engine. The only reason it's important on the Subaru is that you have a limited range of movement on the hold-down bolts.

It's true the distributor has a limited adjustment BUT when the distributor is inserted into the engine the rotor can pointed anywhere you want it to. Like I said in my previous post, just make sure the rotor is pointed at #1 wire when the engine is at 8 degrees BTDC and the rest of the wires are in the correct firing order. Make it easy on yourself.

The disty goes counter clockwise. You're # 1 cylinder is the one closest to the driver's side

 

 

F

R

O

N 2 4

T 3 1

 

The firing order is 1324. The #1 cylinder is on the passenger front, #3 is passenger rear, #2 is driver's front and #4 is driver's back.

Did you follow themanual to put the timing belts on too? If so, they are probably wrong.

There are valve timing marks on the flywheel. They are three marks together. Put the pointer on the center one and then put the passenger's pully up and the driver's down. then put the belts on. then turn the engine over, by hand, and put it back on the marks, they should line back up.